ARRL News

15 September 2024

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

• National Preparedness Month: Ensuring Family Safety

  September is National Preparedness Month. In coordination with our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) is producing a series of weekly articles to help radio amateurs and their families stay safe.

  See previous stories:

  https://www.arrl.org/news/resilience-through-amateur-radio-for-national-preparedness-month 

  https://www.arr...

• Ham Radio Volunteers Serve During Hurricane Francine

  Ham radio operators volunteering with the ARRL® Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) have successfully completed operations for Hurricane Francine, now a tropical storm. “We had a huge positive showing of ARES team members checking in and doing the ‘thing.’ I sincerely appreciate everyone leaning into this activation,” said Robert Hayes, KC5IMN, Section Emergency Coordinator of the ARRL Mis...

• The K7RA Solar Update

  With sunspot numbers up and solar flux decreasing, we saw ten new
  sunspot groups this week; two on September 6, three on September 7,
  two on September 8, one on September 9, and two on September 11.
  
  Average daily sunspot numbers increased from 155.3 to 178.4, while
  average daily solar flux declined from 230.3 to 223.7.
  
  Geomagnetic indicators were quiet, with average daily planetary A
  index dropping f...

• Francine Updates
• ARRL Defends 902-928 Amateur Radio Band
• ARRL Utah Section Expanding Emergency Communication Capabilities

  A new and faster way to communicate during emergencies is being planned by the Utah Section of the ARRL® Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) group, which serves Salt Lake County, the most populous area in Utah.

  ARRL Utah Section Public Information Coordinator Scott Rosenbush, K7HSR, said that discussion and planning for mesh networks using AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) techno...

• National Preparedness Month: Have a Go Kit

  September is National Preparedness Month, and ARRL is working to help radio amateurs have a plan for family resilience. Many hams enjoy public service as part of their operating. Being ready to activate for a served agency through the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) involves not only being licensed and trained, but also prepared and equipped.

  ARRL Director of Emergency Management J...

• Hams Respond as Hawaii Threatened by Three Major Storms

  In late August, Hawaii’s big island was threatened by three major tropical storms and amateur radio operators were prepared to assist as the threat grew more intense. Russell Roberts, KH6JRM, Public Information Officer, Hawaii County, ARRL Pacific Section, said that beginning August 23, storm watches and warnings were being issued for tropical storms Hone, Gilma, and Hector, all churning off th...

• The K7RA Solar Update

  Eight new sunspot groups emerged over the past week.
  
  Two appeared on August 30, three more on August 31, another two on
  September 2 and one more on September 4.
  
  Average daily sunspot number declined from 177.1 to 155.3, while
  average daily solar flux barely changed from 229 to 230.3.
  
  Spaceweather.com reported the average daily sunspot number for
  August was 200, the highest monthly average in the past...

• ARRL VEC Services Update During Systems Disruption

  Updated 9/3/2024

  ARRL previously reported that we are responding to a serious incident involving access to our network and headquarters-based systems. Several services have been affected, including those administered by the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC).

  Exam Registrations and Materials. ARRL Volunteer Examiners (VEs) should continue to submit exam registrations and material requ...

• ARRL Systems Service Disruption

  Updated 9/3/2024

  As previously reported, the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Program continues to operate during the systems service disruption.

  ARRL Volunteer Examiners (VEs) should continue to submit exam registrations and material requests. We are able to post new or revised exam session dates and details to the website, and ship out exam materials. International Amateur Radio Permit...

• The K7RA Solar Update

  "ASWFC GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING ISSUED AT 0200 UTC/29 AUGUST 2024 BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.

  The solar wind environment remains elevated due to ongoing CME effects. G0-G1 geomagnetic conditions are expected on 29-Aug.

  INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED DUE TO CORONAL MASS EJECTION FOR 29 AUGUST 2024 GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST 29 Aug: G0-G1."

  This week se...

• ARRL Closed Monday, September 2, for Labor Day

  ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance of the Labor Day federal holiday. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions. ARRL Headquarters will reopen on Tuesday, September 3, at 8 AM EDT (1200 UTC).
  
  Visit the ARRL Special Events Stations database to find on-the-air events and commemorations this weekend.
  
  ARRL wi...

• ARRL Club Grants Will Be Awarded in November

  Applications for the 2024 ARRL Club Grants program are now being reviewed (the application period closed July 26, 2024).

  ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, said 110 grant applications have been received and the awards will be announced in late November. “Grants are available up to $25,000 and emphasis is given to projects that are transformative in nature,” said Walters.

  Examples of...

• Estate Planning for Hams (What happens to all your stuff?)

  August is National Make-a-Will month. Some estimates show that nearly two-thirds of Americans don't have a plan. For some, it's procrastination. Others don't know where to start. “So many times we hear from the family of a Silent Key who are overwhelmed with what to do with a lifetime worth of amateur radio gear,” said ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL. “Simply thinking through wha...

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